Rebirth: So what if my husband is a little crazy? He loves me.

Chapter 413 Battle of Wits!

"She should be engaged." Emperor Cheng narrowed his eyes, thinking of the nobles from other clans. These people with titles but no real power were the perfect match for Shen Yue.

It's both respectable and useless.

"Does Your Majesty not intend to grant them their wish?" Consort Zheng asked tentatively.

"What do you think, my beloved consort?" Emperor Cheng asked with a smile, pulling her hand and drawing her close.

"It's just my humble opinion as a woman, but I think we should still ask them what they think," Consort Zheng said sweetly, nestled in Emperor Cheng's arms.

"That is indeed a woman's view."

"Your Majesty, you are making fun of me..." Consort Zheng said coquettishly.

Emperor Cheng smiled indulgently: "Very well, it was my fault. How would you like to punish me, my beloved consort?"

“Then punish Your Majesty by making you come to my palace every day, so that you won’t see those little vixens.” Consort Zheng wrapped her arms around Emperor Cheng’s neck.

"Hahaha, good, I'll only come to my beloved concubine's place." Emperor Cheng laughed loudly.

At this moment, he looked more like a husband than a high and mighty emperor.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The rumors were brought under control after Shen Li took action. Although Consort Zheng had achieved her goal, she still did not give up on spreading the news, but the palace servants were not very enthusiastic.

The next day was the day Li Che left the palace to go to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. He left the palace as usual, and led a team of imperial guards to make a grand appearance outside the palace, seemingly unaffected by the rumors.

This move also had a certain deterrent effect, and some people no longer dared to talk about such things on the street. After all, Li Che is the only legitimate son of the current emperor. If he were to inherit the throne and come to settle scores in the future, there would be nothing that the Flying Fish Guards could not find out.

After receiving the news, Yi Wang took his younger brother even more seriously, as he seemed to pose a greater threat than Li Rui.

However, the rumors had already achieved their initial effect. The King of Chess gave his mother a list he had prepared in advance, and all the suitable young men on the list were his people.

If his men can marry Shen Yue, then the Shen family might not be so difficult to conquer.

His move was also to prevent Li Che from actually getting together with Shen Yue, because if that happened, Li Che's competitiveness would be even greater than Li Heng's in the past.

He cannot allow such a thing to happen.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Shen Li received the list from Gu Chang'an two days later, the day before the results were announced. When she saw the list from the Ministry of Rites, her face darkened.

The list consists of spoiled brats whose ancestors had some achievements, who have titles but are ignorant and incompetent, spending their days fighting cocks, chasing dogs, and frequenting brothels. They have no knowledge of books and are full of the smell of wine and women.

Moreover, they had something in common: they were frequent guests at the King of Chess's banquets, and they had slept with countless of the King of Chess's concubines.

Is this the kind of man they're choosing for her sister?

What a clever plan!

Although Gu Chang'an told her not to be angry when he showed her the list at noon, saying that the matter was bound to fail, she was still furious.

This feeling reached its peak when he saw the list in front of him. In the previous life, Wei Zheng was clearly the first in the imperial examination, but this time he was ranked fourth.

The three people mentioned above are currently unknown. According to Shen Li's memory, these people were not on the list in her previous life. One of them was a strategist under the King of Yi for many years afterward.

There must be something fishy going on here.

The trickery is most likely to involve the King of Chess, because that is the only variable.

At this time in her previous life, Li Heng had already seized power with her assistance, and the King of Chess was in decline. But now that the situation has reversed, it doesn't necessarily mean that cheating is impossible.

She narrowed her eyes. This was suicidal. Could such a thing be done flawlessly?

"Lord Shen?" A colleague asked when she noticed she was lost in thought, "What's wrong? Is there a problem with this list?"

"No." Shen Li shook her head, regained her composure, and even smiled. "It's just that seeing so many talented people emerging makes me feel a bit emotional."

"Yes, His Majesty's virtuous rule has greatly promoted the imperial examinations, a blessing for the Great Zhao Dynasty and for all its people." His colleague also expressed his great satisfaction.

Normally, Shen Li would inevitably use some official jargon, but now she just smiled and nodded without saying anything more.

If the imperial examinations are rigged, the country will be doomed.

The imperial examination system recruited talented people from all over the country, not to govern the country with talent, but to prevent intelligent people from using their talents for rebellion.

The imperial examination system must be fair in selecting officials; otherwise, the world will descend into chaos.

This matter is no longer about personal gain or loss or fairness; for the sake of the country and its people, this matter must be thoroughly investigated.

That evening, she and Gu Chang'an went home together, and she told him about it on the way.

"Does Madam believe there is cheating in the imperial examinations?" Gu Chang'an asked, puzzled as to how A-Li knew.

Shen Li nodded firmly: "I'm sure. This matter must be thoroughly investigated by the Flying Fish Guards, with a focus on the top three. I suspect they are all people of the King of Chess."

"Okay." Although Gu Chang'an didn't know why, he figured Ah Li was always right, so he agreed gently.

Compared to Shen Li's slightly anxious tone, his voice clearly had a calming effect.

Sure enough, Shen Li calmed down a little and leaned into Gu Chang'an's arms: "Husband, thank goodness I have you."

When Gu Chang'an heard her say that, he couldn't hide his smile. He put his arm around her and said, "Don't worry, A-Li. I'll take care of everything. Zhao Jing is about to return to the capital. He won't be smug for long."

Putting aside factional strife, the King of Chess dared to offend his own Ah Li like this, and he will have to pay the price.

Before the list was released, King Yi also received the list. That night, he held a grand banquet and invited both high-ranking officials and privileged young men. Everyone had a great time and left feeling as if the country was already in his hands.

The next morning, after the court session, Zhao Jing went to the imperial study to pay his respects, bringing with him information he had gathered from the military camp.

"What have you found out?" Only the Grand Eunuch Wang Ru was beside Emperor Cheng.

"I have been investigating for many days and had found some clues, but I unfortunately lost them." Zhao Jing kowtowed to the ground: "Please punish me, Your Majesty."

"What do you mean by 'broken'?" Emperor Cheng frowned.

"I suspected a lieutenant general, but I must have alerted him. That man committed suicide." Zhao Jing did not raise his head.

"Suicide?" Emperor Cheng stood up from behind his desk and asked, "Who was it?"

"Left Guard Commander, I have investigated his resume and connections, but found nothing." Zhao Jing took out a folded document from his sleeve.

Wang Ru immediately presented it to the emperor. Emperor Cheng opened the memorial, glanced at it, and quickly frowned. What else was there to investigate? The resume itself was problematic.

He started as a personal guard in Prince Yi's mansion, later joined the three major camps, and was promoted by the Ministry of War. Without the support of military achievements, he was promoted to the fourth-rank military officer at the age of forty. His wife was a maid in Prince Yi's mansion, and he himself often attended Prince Yi's banquets.

It's obvious whose people this is.

"Bang!" Emperor Cheng slammed the memorial on the table and roared, "You incompetent fool! How can you possibly succeed to the throne when you are so ignorant of the bigger picture!"

"Your subject deserves to die." Zhao Jing kowtowed, but there was not a trace of tension in his eyes.

Thus, the task assigned by Lord Gu was accomplished.

With the dead unable to testify, there's no way to overturn the case.